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Time to Chill?

The pastor walks to the microphone and begins:

"If there is one thing I cannot stand, it is people who let themselves get walked on. I mean, at some point in life you have to learn to stand up for yourself...get some backbone...show people who's boss...know what I mean? If you don't, you'll just end up with people taking advantage of you, and worst of all you won't get what you want out of life- and God wants us to blaze our own trail...so who's with me?"

Amidst the cheering of the newly self-empowered crowd comes a mild-mannered voice that poses a simple question:

"What would Jesus do?"

Oops- end of sermon.

Maybe that pastor should have studied a little bit more? Those of his opinion love to remind people how Jesus got angry and chased the cheats out of the temple- and other stories that supposedly justify their self-driven, out of control actions and attitudes. You know the kind? They always have to be right, and if you disagree they fly off the handle like a baby that needs changing.

May I offer a better perspective from one of the greatest Christians in history?

"When two goats meet upon a narrow bridge over deep water, how do they behave? Neither of them can turn back again, neither can pass the other, because the bridge is too narrow; if they should push one another, they might both fall into the water and be drowned; nature, then, has taught them, that if the one lays himself down and permits the other to go over him, both remain without hurt. Even so people should rather endure to be trod upon, than to fall into debate and discord one with another."

By Martin Luther, Table Talk

As believers we should be marked by our meekness, patience, and willingness to defer. Want proof? Here you go:

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23)

And so on, and so on. If your life is characterized by a hot temper, you need to grow up and cool down. If you think life is about getting your way, you've forgotten that your life was bought with a price. If you want to be more like Jesus, try living by His promise:

"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family." (Matthew 5:9)

Questions:

  1. Which "goat" are you more like?
  2. On a scale of 1-10, how often are you angry?
  3. What is the first step you need to take care of your anger problem?

Memory Verse:

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)